Dell OptiPlex

Dell, Inc. targets its OptiPlex line of desktop computers for sale into the corporate, government and education markets. These systems typically contain Intel CPUs, beginning with the Pentium and currently with the Core i7 (as of late 2008), although Dell sells some models with AMD CPUs as well. They contain business-oriented components (such as Gigabit Ethernet, which Dell makes available only on its Precision, XPS, Latitude, OptiPlex and PowerEdge systems) and software. (Compare Dell's Dimension counterparts.)

Contents

Capacitor Issues

Older Optiplex models (mostly produced in 2003 and 2004), notably the GX270, suffered from frequent failures due to faulty capacitors supplied by Nichicon. These capacitors would bulge and leak, resulting in product failure after only a few years of use. As of June 2010, there is still ongoing litigation regarding this problem, alleging that Dell knew that the computers were likely to fail, and continued to ship them.[1]

Name

OptiPlex is a portmanteau of "opti" (meaning optimal) and "plex" (meaning parts or units.)[2]

Chassis

The newest OptiPlex models break from Dell's proprietary form factors and follow, for the most part, the BTX standard.

The OptiPlex series comes in various sizes which have evolved as the style of chassis has changed.

Classic beige

In the classic beige chassis:

Chassis Height Width Depth 5.25" external bays 3.5" external bays internal bays
Small form Factor 9.14 cm (3.6 inches) 31.75 cm (12.5 inches) 37.8 cm (14.9 inches) 1 slim optical 1.44 floppy (1) 3.5" HDD
low-profile 10.9 cm (4.3 inches) 40.9 cm (16.1 inches) 43.7 cm (17.2 inches) 1 1.44 floppy 1
Midsize 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) 41.9 cm (16.5 inches) 44.5 cm (17.5 inches) 2 1.44 floppy 2 HDD
Mini-tower 44.5 cm (17.5 inches) 20.6 cm (8.1 inches) 43.7 cm (17.2 inches) 3 1.44 floppy 2 HDD

Midnight-gray

In the recent midnight-gray chassis (with the flip-up door) (Transformer cases):

Chassis Height Width Depth 5.25" external bays 3.5" external bays internal bays
Ultra Small Form 24.7 cm (9.9 inches) 24.2 cm (9.7 inches) 8.5 cm (3.4 inches) 1 media bay (modules common with Latitude series) none (1) 3.5" HDD
Small form Factor 9.0 cm (3.57 inches) 31.9 cm (12.54 inches) 35.4 cm (13.93 inches) 1 slim optical 1 slim floppy (1) 3.5" HDD
Small Desktop 10.6 cm (4.2 inches) 38.9 cm (15.3 inches) 43.2 cm (17 inches) 1 1.44 floppy (2) 3.5" HDD
Mini-tower 42.5 cm (16.7 inches) 18.1 cm (7.13 inches) 44.7 cm (17.6 inches) 2 (1) + 1.44 floppy 2 HDD

BTX (Matrix Cases)

Current model BTX chassis:

Chassis Height Width Depth 5.25" external bays 3.5" external bays 3.5" internal bays
Ultra Small Form (Matrix Trinity case) 26.4 cm (10.375 inches) 8.9 cm (3.5 inches) 25.3 cm (9.95 inches) 1 D-module bay none 1 HDD
Small form Factor (Matrix Cypher Case) 9.26 cm (3.65 inches) 31.37 cm (12.35 inches) 34.03 cm (13.40 inches) 1 slim optical 1 slim floppy (1) 3.5" HDD
Small Desktop (Matrix Neo Case) 11.4 cm (4.5 inches) 39.9 cm (15.7 inches) 35.3 cm (13.9 inches) 1 1 (2) 3.5" HDD
Mini-tower (Matrix Smith Case) 41.4 cm (16.3 inches) 18.5 cm (7.3 inches) 43.9 cm (17.3 inches) 2 1 2 HDD

The Optiplex 960 introduces a new style of cases, made to be eco-friendly with recyclable plastics. They are named after various rock bands (Bon Jovi, Motley Crew, Mr. Big).

Models, in relative chronological order

Model Chipset CPU FSB RAM type RAM speed Chassis Comments USB
XL 5xxx Intel 82434NX PCI Pentium 75, 90, 100, 120, 133 50/60/66 MHz SIMM, 4 70 ns ex, XL 575, XL 5133. From 8 to 64 MB (64 MiB) of RAM. 1995/1996
XM 5xxx Intel 82430NX PCIset Pentium 75, 90/120, 100/133 50/60/66 MHz SIMM, 4 70 ns 6 x 16 x 16 S3 Vision 864, 1 MB standard, upgradable to 2 MB.
XMT 5xxx Intel 82430NX PCIset Pentium 75, 90/120, 100/133 50/60/66 MHz SIMM, 4 70 ns 16.40 x 7.75 x 17.40 S3 Vision 864, 1 MB standard, upgradable to 2 MB.
GXL 5xxx Intel 82430FX PCIset Pentium 90, 120, 150, 100, 133, 166, 200 60/66 MHz SIMM, 4 60-ns EDO or 70-ns fast-page mode midsize
GXM 5xxx Intel 82430FX Pentium 90, 120, 150, 100, 133, 166, 200 60/66 MHz SIMM, 4 60-ns EDO 4 x 17 x 17 S3 (Trio64V+) PCI, 2 MB.
GXMT 5xxx Intel 82430FX PCIset Pentium 90, 120, 150, 100, 133, 166, 200 60/66 MHz SIMM, 4 60-ns EDO 16.4 x 7.75 x 17.4 S3 (Trio64V+) PCI, 2 MB.
GL and GL+ Intel 82430FX PCI Pentium 75, 90/120, 100/133/166 50/60/66 MHz SIMM, 4 60 ns EDO or 70 ns fast-page mode 4 x 17 x 17 S3 764-P (Trio64), 1 MB standard, upgradable to 2 MB.
GM and GM+ Intel 82430FX PCIset Pentium 75, 90/120, 100/133/166 50/60/66 MHz SIMM, 4 60 ns EDO 6.0 x 17 x 17 S3 764-P (Trio64), 1 MB standard, upgradable to 2 MB.
GMT and GMT+ Intel 82430FX PCIset Pentium 75, 90/120, 100/133/166 50/60/66 MHz SIMM, 4 60 ns EDO 16.4 x 7.75 x 17.4 S3 764-P (Trio64), 1 MB standard, upgradable to 2 MB.
Gs, Gs+ Intel 430FX PCI Pentium 133, 166, 200 66 MHz SIMM, 4 60-ns EDO low-profile, midsize chassis S3 (Trio64V+) PCI, 2 MB, Gs+ contains onboard Ethernet.
GXpro Intel 82440FX PCIset Pentium Pro 180, 200 60 or 66 MHz SDRAM, 4 PC66 midsize, minitower
GXpro Intel 82440FX PCIset Pentium Pro 180, 200 60 or 66 MHz DRAM, 4 60 ns EDO midsize, minitower 60ns EDO DRAM DIMM USB
GXi Intel 430HX PCIset Pentium 133-200, Pentium MMX 166-233 66 MHz SDRAM, 4 PC66 Low-profile, Midsize, and Mini tower S3 86C765 (Trio64V+) USB
Gn/Gn+ Intel 430TX PCIset Pentium MMX 166-233 66 MHz SDRAM, 2 PC66 low-profile, midsize, minitower
N Intel 430TX PCIset Pentium MMX 166-233 66 MHz SDRAM, 2 PC66 3.65 x 13.27 x 13.75 S3 Trio64V2 86C785, 2 MB.
GXa Intel 82440LX PCI/AGP Pentium II Klamath 233, 266, 300, 333 66 MHz SDRAM, 3 PC66 Low-profile, Midsize, and Mini tower GXa accepts slot 1 Pentiums up to 333 MHz USB 1.1 x2
NX Intel 82440LX PCI/AGP Pentium II 266-333 66 MHz SDRAM, 3 PC66 3.65 x 13.27 x 13.75 ATI 3D Rage Pro AGP controller

Video memory 2-MB standard (upgradable to 4 MB) SGRAM
G1 Intel 440BX AGP set Pentium II 266-333, 350-450 or Celeron 266-400 66 MHz OR 100 MHz SDRAM, 2 PC100 Low-profile, Midsize, and Mini tower Introduced in June 1998.[3] Along with the IBM 300PL, one of the most widely used business desktops of the 1999–2005 era. Some organizations have only recently started to replace them. GX1 machines used Slot 1 Pentium II and Pentium III CPUs.
E1 Intel 440EX AGPset Celeron 266-400 slot1 66 MHz SDRAM, 2 PC100 low-profile and minitower
NX1 Intel 440BX PIIX4e Pentium II 266, 333, 350-450 MHz OR Pentium III 450 66/100 MHz SDRAM, 3 PC100 3.65 x 13.27 x 13.75 on-board ATI Rage Pro (AGP 2X) graphics, 4 MB standard (upgradable to 8 MB) SGRAM. FIRST PIII MODEL.
GX1 Intel 440BX PIIX4e Pentium II 266, 333, 350-450 or Pentium III 450-600 66 or 100 MHz SDRAM, 3 PC100 SFF, low-profile, midsize, mini tower GX1 machines used Slot 1 Pentium II and Pentium III CPUs. USB 1.1 x2
GX1p Intel 440BX AGPSet Pentium II 400, 450 or Pentium III 450-600 100 MHz SDRAM, 3 PC100 midsize and minitower
GC Intel 810e PIII or Celeron 66/100 MHz SDRAM, 2 PC100 SFF
GX100 Intel 810 Celeron Mendocino and Coppermine 66/100 MHz SDRAM, 2 PC100 SFF, low-profile, minitower Socket 370. No AGP slot. Some motherboards do not accept the Coppermine Celeron. USB 1.1 x2
GX110 Intel 810e Pentium III Coppermine 66/100 MHz SDRAM, 2 PC100 SFF, low-profile, midsize (370 only), minitower Slot1 or Socket 370 CPU. USB 1.1 x2
GX115 Intel 815E Pentium III or Celeron 100/133 MHz SDRAM (PC100)/PC133 SFF, low-profile, minitower
GX200 Intel 82820 PCCI/AGP Pentium III 100/133 MHz RAMBUS, 2 PC800 SFF, low-profile, midsize, minitower
GX300 Intel 820 PCI/AGP Pentium III 100/133 MHz RAMBUS, 2 PC600/PC800 minitower 1 or 2 CPUS, typically Slot1.
GX400 Intel 850 Pentium 4 400 MHz RAMBUS, 4 PC800 Mini tower Black classic style chassis. Socket 423
GX150 Intel 815E Pentium III or Celeron 100/133 MHz SDRAM, 2 PC133 SFF, desktop, mini tower First to have new midnight-gray chassis USB 1.1
GX50 Intel 810 OR Intel 810E Pentium III or Celeron 66/100 MHz SDRAM, 2 PC100 SFF, desktop, mini tower No AGP slot. Models up to 800 MHz have the 810, 850 MHz and up have 810E
GX240 Intel 845 Pentium 4 1.5-2.0 Willamette OR 2.2-2.8 Northwood 400 MHz SDRAM PC133 (ECC or non-ECC) SFF, desktop, minitower First socket 478 model OptiPlex. Also contains no onboard video, must have AGP card. USB 1.1
GX260 Intel 845G Pentium 4 or Celeron 400/533 MHz DDR
200/266		 PC2700 SFF, SD, SMT PATA only
no SATA Socket 478		 USB 2.0 x6
GX60 Intel 845GL OR Intel 845GV Celeron 400 MHz DDR PC2100 OR PC2700 SFF, desktop, mini tower No AGP or PCI Express slots. 845GV supports PC2700 and 533 MHz FSB CPUs. USB 2.0
SX260 Intel 845G Pentium 4 1.5-2.0 Willamette OR 2.0-2.6 Northwood OR Celeron 400/533 MHz DDR, 2 PC1600/PC2100 Ultra Small Form
L60 Intel 845GL Pentium 4 or Celeron 400 MHz DDR, 2 PC2100
GX270 Intel 865G Pentium 4 and P4 w/HT or Celeron 400/533/800 MHz Socket 478 DDR, 2 SFF board and 4 other boards
333/400		 PC2700/PC3200 SFF, SD, SMT SATA+PATA
Intel graphics or dedicated 8x AGP card. The GX270 made from Apr 2003 to Mar 2004 came under fire in 2005 for having faulty Nichicon electrolytic capacitors. When they fail, these capacitors are easily recognised by an X mark across the top and a bloated or split appearance.[4]		 USB 2.0 x8
SX270 Intel 865G Pentium 4 and P4 w/HT or Celeron 400/533/800 MHz 2xDDR PC2700/PC3200 Ultra Small Form Optional stand and cable cover. 2.5" PATA HDD.
160L Intel 845GV Pentium 4 or Celeron 400 MHz DDR PC2100/PC2700 minitower
170L Intel 865-GV Pentium 4 or Celeron 400/533/800 MHz 2xDDR PC2700/PC3200 desktop or minitower
GX280 Intel 915 Pentium 4 and P4 w/HT 400/533/800 MHz Socket 775 DDR2, 2 SFF board and 4 other boards DDR2 400/DDR2 533 SFF, SD, desktop, SMT, minitower No PS/2 connectors. Intel or PCIe x16 Graphics. Offered in both ATX and BTX chassis. (SFF is ATX only). USB 2.0 x8
SX280 915G Pentium 4 or Celeron 533/800 MHz DDR2 DDR2 400 Ultra Small Form 8.9 cm (3.5 inches), 36.1 cm (14.2 inches), 26.4 cm (10.375 inches) DVI-I port. No PS/2.
210L Intel 915GV Pentium 4 or Celeron 533/800 MHz DDR2, 2 DDR2 400/DDR2 533 desktop or minitower integrated Intel Graphic Media Accelerator 900.
GX520 Intel 945 Express Pentium 4, Pentium D, or Celeron 533/800 MHz Socket 775 DDR2, 2 DDR2 400/DDR2 533 SFF, desktop, minitower BTX. integrated Intel Graphic Media Accelerator 950.
GX620 Intel 945 Express Pentium 4, Pentium D, or Celeron 533/800 MHz Socket 775 DDR2, 4 DDR2 533/DDR2 667 USFF, SFF, desktop, minitower BTX. The latest models contain a trusted platform module. Note that USFF cable cover increases the dimensions of the machine (available in standard and extended sizes). Motherboard is same as GX520, but includes 4 DIMM slots and 1 PCI Express slot USB 2.0
320 ATI Radeon Xpress 1100 Professional Intel Pentium D, Pentium 4 with HT, and Celeron D 800 MHz DDR2, 2 DDR2 533 desktop, minitower
745 Intel 965 Express Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Pentium D, Pentium 4 HT, Celeron D, Celeron 4xx - bios update may be required 533/800/1066 MHz DDR2, 4 DDR2 533/DDR2 667/DDR2 800 USFF, SFF, desktop, minitower Does not support 2GB/800 memory units. A 2GB/800 memory unit will slow down to 667. USFF only has 2 DIMM slots and maximum 4GB memory. Does not support 45nm processors
330 Intel G31 Express Chipset Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Pentium Dual Core, Celeron D 533/800/1066 MHz DDR2, 2 DDR2 533/DDR2 667/DDR2 800 DT, MT
360 Intel G31 Express Chipset Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Pentium Dual Core, Celeron D 533/800/1066 MHz DDR2, 2 DDR2 533/DDR2 667/DDR2 800 DT, MT
740 nVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S Chipset with NVIDIA nForce 430 MCP AMD Athlon 64 X2, AMD Athlon 64, AMD Phenom 1066 MHz DDR2, 4 DDR2 533/DDR2 667/DDR2 800 MT, DT, SFF
755 Intel Q35 Express Intel Core 2 Duo, Dual core (wolfdale), Quad, Celeron 800/1066/1333 MHz DDR2, 4 DDR2-667 and DDR2-800 MT, DT, SFF, USFF USFF only has 2 DIMM slots and maximum 4GB memory.
760 Intel Q43 Express Intel Core 2 Duo, Quad, Celeron 800/1066/1333 MHz DDR2, 4 DDR2-667 and DDR2-800 MT, DT, SFF, USFF USFF only has 2 DIMM slots and maximum 4GB memory.
960 Intel Q45 Express Intel Core 2 Duo, Quad 800/1066/1333 MHz DDR2, 4 DDR2-800 MT, DT, SFF
980 Intel Q57 Express Intel i3, i5, i7 1066/1333 MHz DDR3, 4 DDR3-1333 MT, DT, SFF USB 2.0 x 10
160 SiSM671 Intel Atom 230 or 330 533 MHz DDR2, 2 DDR2-667 Tiny Desktop
780 Intel Q45 Express Intel Core 2 Duo, Quad, Pentium Dual Core, Celeron 800/1066/1333 MHz DDR3, 4 DDR3-1066 MT, DT, SFF, USFF USFF chassis was released separately and resembles the Optiplex 960 case.
380 Intel G41 Express Intel Core 2 Duo, Quad, Pentium Dual Core, Celeron 800/1066 MHz DDR3, 2 DDR3-1066 MT, DT, SFF
XE Intel Q45 Express Intel Core 2 Duo, Pentium Dual Core, Celeron 800/1066/1333 MHz DDR3, 4 DDR3-1066 DT, SFF Intel AMT features disabled, has option for dust cover and external power button, designed for retail POS market
790 Intel Q65 Express Intel i3, i5, i7 1066/1333 MHz DDR3, 4 DDR3-1066 MT, DT, SFF, USFF Chassis similar to 9xx Optiplex
580 AMD 785G AMD Athlon II X2, AMD Athlon II, AMD Phenom DDR3, 4 DDR3-1333 MT, DT, SFF Chassis similar to 7xx Optiplex
Model Chipset CPU FSB RAM type RAM speed Chassis Comments USB

References

  1. ^ http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/29/dell_optiplex_issues/
  2. ^ Neese, Pat (2007-12-31). "OptiPlex". email. http://www.dell.com/. "Opti is from the word optimum and plex means parts or units. OptiPlex is a portmanteau, which is a combination of two words." 
  3. ^ Davis, Jim (1998-06-08). "Compaq, Dell ship new computers". cnet news. Cnet. http://news.cnet.com/Compaq%2C-Dell-ship-new-computers/2100-1001_3-212040.html. Retrieved 2008-10-08. "The company is expanding its PC lineup today with desktop PCs for businesses that will now include the G1 and E1 lines." 
  4. ^ Singer, Michael (2005-11-10). "PCs plagued by bad capacitors"

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